If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
Do we believe that words have meaning? Do we believe the words of God, or do we believe that words are subject to the dictates of men? Are the definitions of words immutable, or are they simply tools, in the hands of individuals, that can be molded, and bent, to be redefined at will, to diametrically oppose their previously acknowledged meaning?
What does it mean, in John 1:1, when the Bible says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
Is the Word of GOD, or the words of, “THE WORD of GOD,” subject to the whims of men, or are they immutable, or self-sustaining?
How about the words of our governing documents, the Declaration of Independence, and the US Constitution, documents that every political servant of the United States of America commits, by an oath, to defend? Are they pliable? Do they mean one thing today, but may be modified tomorrow, (without Article V amendment,) to refute what they have been consistently understood to mean until today?
These are questions for thinkers, those that reverence truth, and seek wisdom. It is not my intention to browbeat, or to insult anyone. It is my intention to provoke us all to consider the matter of, “words,” scientifically. To consider that if this, how does it effect that. To determine whether we are wise to allow others to dictate truth to us, to paint immutable truths as suggestions, and offer alternative options. It seems clear to me that this is exactly what the serpent did with Eve in the Garden of Eden. He challenged the true meaning of God’s word, and suggested an alternative meaning, while accusing God of having ulterior motives. He called God a liar, and claimed to be a more trustworthy purveyor of truth, in his successful attempt to con Adam and Eve into rebellion against, and rejection of their creator.
Just how convinced are we of what we believe? How convinced are we in our sources for truth? The Declaration of Independence says, in part, “We hold these Truths to be self-evident, that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.”
Is a belief that each human individual is endowed with “certain unalienable rights,” (as stated in the Declaration of Independence,) synonymous with a belief that it is righteous, honorable, or even christian to empower anyone to alienate another from any, or all or these “unalienable rights?”
One of the unalienable rights, listed in our, “Bill of Rights,” is freedom of religion, and another is the freedom of speech. These are both listed in the very first amendment to the US Constitution, the first of the, “Bill of Rights,” amendments, (or clarifications,) to this constitution.
Is there a reason that both are contained in the same Amendment? Is it significant that this amendment is the very first, and is it also significant that the freedom, “of religion,” is stated first? I believe that it is significant. I believe that the integrity of our governing system pivots on this feature.
I also believe that you are free to disagree. I do not think less of you if you disagree with me, and I do not seek to force your compliance with my belief. I believe that truth will persevere, that it will triumph over error, or deception. I believe Jesus when he said in John 14:6, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
If we allow ourself to be distracted, deceived, and convinced to believe in a lie, or many lies, how great might be the price of our choices.
Mat 6:23, “But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!”
Isa 5:20, “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!”
Do you believe that these are written in the Word of God for a reason?
There are many Americans that believe that they, and others are justified in their belief that it is equitable that certain Americans should be empowered to take away other American’s right to their choice of religious, and political beliefs. They believe that it is right to restrict the speech of Americans that believe differently than they. They believe that they are on a righteous footing, and are apt to proclaim that it is alright for you to believe, and even speak of that which you believe, but it is also right for them to empower our government, (with the power to take away life and liberty,) to determine who might have access to these spoken, or written beliefs. They are quick to label speech that they disagree with, “hate speech,” (without evidence,) and seek to convince others to join them in, “black-listing,” those that they deem unworthy.
Is this American? Is this honorable? Are we righteous if we do not oppose this behavior?
God bless you, Dave